Straphangers said good riddance to subway-station booth lines by flocking to the new MetroCard vending machines yesterday.

The machines were a big hit with riders passing through the two congested stations where they are available – Columbus Circle/59th Street and Lexington at 68th Street.

“Why do I have to go to a person when I can do this?” said George Cochran, a regular commuter at the Columbus Circle station who bought a seven-day, $17 card at one of the five machines set up there.

The machines – with multicolored touch-pad screens – issue MetroCards in any value.

For the first time, riders can pay with credit cards or bank debit cards, as well as cash. The machines issue receipts upon request. The transaction can be completed in less than 30 seconds.

But there was one snafu. The machines wouldn’t accept debit cards yesterday because banks hadn’t yet activated the service, transit officials said. Credit cards were accepted.

“It’s very easy to use. It’s comfortable. I wish the Transit Authority would put them in all locations,” said Irene Shedletsky, a 28-year-old Brooklyn accountant who bought a $15 card at Columbus Circle.

By the end of the year, 400 of the 1,000-pound, stainless-steel machines will be installed in 70 stations. About 1,000 machines will be available by the middle of next year.

“I’ll definitely use the vending machines all the time. It will save me a lot of time waiting on line,” said Richard Acosta, 29, of Nanuet.

There were 10 customer-service agents at both stations to help riders use the machines.

“It’s a wonderful idea. If I can avoid the booth, I will. I’ll go right to the machines,” said Laura Pesram, who did a test-run at the 68th Street station.

But the machines didn’t catch on with everybody. Diehard token users still paid at the booths, as did many riders buying MetroCards.

John Mitchell of Mount Vernon said the line was shorter at the booth than at the vending machines at 68th Street.

TA spokesman Al O’Leary stressed the 10 vending machines installed at the two stations are part of a three-month test. The machines will be fine-tuned after that.

The machines accept bills up to $50, but give no more than $6 change, all in coins, mostly Susan B. Anthony dollars.